How to get unstuck and start moving towards your goals

We all get stuck in life at some point or another. When feeling stuck, the first step is always the hardest to take. The mental challenge of stepping into the unknown (or even just into the uncomfortable) can be so struggling to overcome that many of us get stuck in our old ways, despite being desperate to change our lives. Getting stuck in life is the feeling of being unable to take action to move forward in the right direction. We can all experience this sensation in our lives, at different times and for different reasons.

Continue reading to gain a deeper understanding of why you are feeling stuck in life and learn what to do to start moving forward to your goals. Get the momentum needed to get where you want to in life, no matter how long you have been stagnant.

Being stuck is an emotional experience

When you experience the sensation of being stuck in the progress of a goal or in an area of life, it has little to do with actual physical limitations or challenges. It is within our inner world of thoughts and emotions that this experience impacts us. That doesn´t make the experience any less real or limiting, though. Learning how to get unstuck from one area now gives you the resources and power needed for you to get yourself moving forward if you are feeling stuck in other areas later in life.

There are various reasons behind why we ultimately feel stuck in life. Continue reading to discover the most impactful factors that leave you feeling stuck in life, what to take into consideration when moving towards your goals after feeling stuck, and gain the necessary tools to break free and get yourself to start moving forward in the right direction. 

How are you stuck?

In this practical guide, the main focus is on four different reasons why you may be feeling stuck right now, along with how to get yourself moving towards your goals from there. It is time to discover why you´ve truly been feeling stuck in life and how to get yourself moving in the right direction again.

Why you´re feeling stuck – reason #1:
You are too zoomed out

When you are too zoomed out, you are stuck focusing on the big picture rather than on manageable action steps in the process. Many times, focusing on the big picture comes with benefits rather than negative effects, but there are definitely destructive aspects of this broad focus to take a deeper look into.
For all of the dreamers and planners, this might hit especially hard. You might experience the sense of being stuck because you´re focusing on too many projects at once, or focusing on too many aspects of one project. Perhaps you are being too focused on the end goal; the vision, to be able to get it started. Maybe you are focusing on the abstract concept rather than the actionable steps to take. The reasons and examples seems to be flowing, but the core of it is the same: you are too zoomed out.

WHY ARE YOU FEELING STUCK IN LIFE RIGHT NOW?

When we are focusing on achieving too big goals too quickly, or the steps in the process to reach our goals are massive or complex, we can feel paralyzed from taking action. Because the goal or tasks in front of us doesn´t feel achievable or actionable enough, it can lead us to experience feelings of overwhelm and hopelessness. 

HOW DO YOU GET MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

Break down big tasks into smaller, more achievable steps to take.
Make the first step(s) as small as you possibly can, just to get yourself moving forward.

An example of how to leverage this strategy in a common scenario in the area of HEALTH:

Your goal is to exercise (/become more healthy or lose/gain weight) and the task of “going to the gym” or “working out” feels like too big of a commitment for you to get started. Not having been to a gym in a while, you´re not even sure where to begin looking for options.
In order to feel like taking action, you need to break down this task into smaller action steps.
Get started by creating minimal challenges for yourself to take. Small enough to create impact, while still making sense for you to take now (or today). When you break down the task into smaller actions, you give yourself the power and leverage of having already started.

Break it down to your current level:
– Can you do 5 jumping jacks?
(or 1? 2? 10? 20? 50? 100? make it apply to you, and please remember to use these examples as inspiration so adjust them accordingly)
– Are you able to run in place for 20 seconds?
– Could you stretch your legs?
– Can you move your body to your favorite song?

ANY STEP bigger than what you took yesterday is genuine progress. In the start, the smallest actions might well be worth celebrating to feel empowered enough to continue with bigger and bigger steps towards your goal. 
When you´re breaking down your task, a final piece of advice is to make them feel small enough to successfully accomplish and big enough to make a positive impact on your emotions (or bring other positive outcomes).

Why you´re feeling stuck -reason #2:
You are too zoomed in

When you are feeling stuck because you´re too zoomed in, you are currently focusing on the technicalities or specifics rather than manageable and achievable action steps. This is a very common occurrence in our day-to-day life as well (outside the aspect of feeling stuck in life); when you are zooming in and focusing on details, just that focus in itself has the ability and potential to completely destroy an entire day, or experience.

Have that ever happened to you? You´ve had an amazing experience, and then ONE THING out of EVERYTHING goes wrong and suddenly EVERYTHING feels like a bad experience. Suddenly, everything feels like shit. Because of what? One thing. A detail. Because you were too zoomed in.

WHY ARE YOU FEELING STUCK IN LIFE RIGHT NOW?

When focusing on too many details within the process of achieving a goal, the effect tends to be the same: feeling stuck and unable to take action because of overwhelming emotions. Since small actions generate small results, this type of narrow focus can also lead to intense feelings of frustration if we do get ourselves to take action. 

HOW DO YOU GET MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

When you feel stuck because you are too zoomed in on details, it is time to chunk tasks in the process together into bigger blocks. Check your task list to identify which steps of the process are connected with each other, and link them together into bigger action steps. Using this method, you will make sure you continue to stay motivated throughout the journey of reaching your goal. This is a natural effect when the progress you´re making clearly is giving desired results and continuously taking you closer to your goal.
Identify the most optimal task sizes (that work best for you in terms of making progress and feeling motivated) so that you can continue growing with the most constructive foundation for your success. 

Why you´re feeling stuck – reason #3:
Your beliefs are limiting you

Your inner beliefs act as the framework of your potential. When those beliefs are limiting your outcome (something that is very common), it is time to deepen your understanding and see what else is going on within your belief systems.

WHY ARE YOU FEELING STUCK IN LIFE RIGHT NOW?

Limiting beliefs are convictions we hold as true within ourselves, that are limiting our ability or potential to feel good and act in line with our desired outcomes. Since these are not usually conscious thoughts (but rather make up the core understanding of ourselves, others, and the world), we don´t tend to actively face them enough to actually challenge their level of truth.
If you genuinely believe that you are unable to do something, will you even try?
Reflecting on your own belief systems to identify limiting beliefs is always a hugely impactful and rewarding exercise. When you raise awareness of your beliefs within different areas, you give yourself the possibility to challenge its truth and choose to change. Without that awareness, you have no real way of knowing your true limits.
The harmful effects of our inner limitations are so massive when considering how it blocks our access to big parts of our desired reality. Identifying and challenging your own beliefs (within all areas of life) will liberate your power and potential to help you create the life of your dreams.

HOW DO YOU GET MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

Challenge your beliefs when you notice that you feel blocked from taking action.
Here are a set of questions to ask yourself (re-phrase and change the words to make them relate to you)
– Are you actually 100% unable to take action?
(Or are you putting 100% of your focus on irrelevant actions?)
– Is the story you have been telling yourself about your (lack of) power to influence and ability to act objectively true?
– Are you truly 100% unable to take any form of action, to move even 1% closer to your desired outcome?
– Or could you (take control and) change the story (that gives your experience meaning) now?
– What is something that is true about your power or ability, that gives more value to focus on from here?

Why you´re feeling stuck – reason #4:
You are engaging with a destructive focus

Nothing good comes from focusing on and engaging with thoughts that serve no purpose, add no value, or that lead to painful emotions. It is, however, a very common reason for feeling stuck in life. We can get into these patterns of destructive focus at various times (or situations) throughout our lives, and the most important thing is learning how to break free from that habit and knowing how to shift to a more constructive focus.

WHY ARE YOU FEELING STUCK IN LIFE RIGHT NOW?

What we focus on is our true experience and our thoughts are narrating it all. If your life was a movie and you were the main character; the protagonist of your life, how would you narrate it differently from now? In your reality, you will always remain the central person and you should treat yourself accordingly; as the hero, or at least as the main character, that you are (in your life).

HOW DO YOU GET MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

When you comprehend the massive power of thoughts, and you understand that you can control your own focus at any time, the only thing you need to do is practice shifting your focus (back and back again). While creating new anchors to focus on instead of your current thought patterns and habits, you make it easier to stay within your desired focus. 

How to shift your focus to get empowered

1. Identify your current destructive focus
First up, you want to identify your focus to determine whether or not it is currently destructive. To be able to make that evaluation, you start by asking yourself questions like:
– Does this focus add value right now?
– Is this the best (type of) thought I could be focusing on now?

2. Set your new focus
Our focused attention is directed by internal questions, and most of our internal communication (self-talk) is just made up by questions and answers. To determine and set your new focus, simply ask yourself questions.
Make sure that you are re-phrasing and changing the words to make them resonate with you and feel 100% genuine.
– What is something that I can focus on now, that will add more value?

Alternative phrasings:
– What would be the most beneficial
(/valuable/rewarding/fulfilling/empowering)
focus I could choose at this moment?

– If I wanted to focus on something to make me feel happy
(/other emotions, such as empowered, inspired, motivated, confident, fulfilled, calm, etc.)
now, what would that be?

Sometimes life hits us hard. Even if nothing specific happened to cause us pain at that moment, it might be present in our reality anyway. When you are practicing these reflective exercises in an environment without distractions, you get great opportunities for deep insights and self-awareness. In addition, you will also gain new impactful perspectives that will give you the power to transform your life completely.

You´ve got this! 

Additional resources if you´re feeling stuck in life

Are you stuck in self-criticism?

Are you stuck in self-hate?

Are you stuck in fear?

Want personal support?

Connect with me below if you feel like you could benefit from having a personal supporter by your side. If you want someone to challenge your inner limitations and help you get empowered to transform your life, you will find personal life coaching truly valuable now. With me as your life coach, you will learn how to master your mind and emotions. With personal life coaching, you get the best foundation to leverage lasting changes in your life. You deserve to live a life you love, as the person you want to be.

Our first call is 45 minutes through Zoom and completely free of charge or conditions to continue. I am so excited to support you on your growth journey!